Biology at University of Idaho

Moscow, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,368/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.6x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #89 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $518K $517K $482K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.6x 13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,264
Out-of-state: $119,136 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,128
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,694
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,368/yr, edging above the $32,219 national average for Biology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $39,368 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #89 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $39,368 to $51,694 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Idaho

University of Idaho has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 7,363 students in Moscow, ID.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Idaho →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Idaho

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology at University of Idaho?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $482,124 in decade earnings vs $518,258 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Idaho's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #89 of 822 programs nationally, University of Idaho lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →